Champion's Day to conclude the domestic racing calendar

Bobsbest reports…

IT’S Champions’ Day on Monday at CoinShares Les Landes, the last fixture of the year.

Although the card includes the Millbrook CI Champion Hurdle and the sprinters’ championship, the Beresford Street Kitchen Jersey Bullet, it is The Clarendon, a handicap, which is the feature event.

Sponsored by Oakglen Wealth Management, it will see seven line up, including prolific winners Maquignon and Roi Du Monde, the improving filly Petite Fiammetta, previous winner Clear Man and the consistent Between The Covers; Flashy Apache and Nature complete the field.

Such is the rating of Maquignon on a mark of 83 that the weights are compressed with four of the seven out of the handicap; of them, Petite Fiammetta and Clear Man appear to have the best chances, but if the handicapper has got it right the finish should involve the other three.

Jockey Fred Tett Picture: GEORGE MARRIOTT

At the time of writing, Josh Bryan is due to ride Between The Covers, but it’s not clear which of Alyson Malzard’s top two will be the mount of Fred Tett. If he’s on Roi Du Monde, in receipt of 4lb from Maquignon, that would be my choice.

Lisa and Alfie Smith are generous sponsors of the Beresford Street Kitchen Bullet over the minimum trip of 5 furlongs. BSK, as it is known, is a charity which does great work preparing people with learning difficulties to lead full, independent, lives.

If the race was a handicap Al Farabi would give weight all round, so he has his best opportunity, however he continues to disappoint and both Profit And Loss and Gemcutter are preferred. The former has not been running badly, but he has no secrets from the handicapper; he could bounce back on these terms.

Gemcutter, a previous winner on this card, is in great form, beaten a whisker by St Ouen (who doesn’t run) last time. Of the others, Timetodock looks more reliable than Bank On Kent.

Like all jump races this year, the Champion Hurdle, sponsored by Mr P G Somers, is disappointing. The same small group have been running against each other all season. At weight for age and sex, Diplomatie is top rated, all of a stone ahead of George Bancroft, but she has fallen twice this season at the second last hurdle, last time giving Victoria Malzard a broken collar bone.

Picture: GEORGE MARRIOTT

George Bancroft has been in smashing form and is well able to take advantage of any mistake his opponents may make. The other two have it all to do.

The Colin Grant Memorial Glory Bee handicap over a mile and a quarter is sponsored by The Ommaroo Hotel in memory of Major Grant who was a stalwart of racing here. Glory Bee was the favourite horse of another great supporter, the late Joan May. It is restricted to horses rated 60 or lower and Arthur’s Angel carries top weight.

Oliver Carmichael is good value for his 5lb apprentice claim and the grey is expected to run well. However, She’s A Mirage is dropped in class and should prove to good for her rivals.

The last race of the season, the Hepburn Season Finale is the only race on the card open to horses not trained in the Channel Islands. As the cost of bringing just one horse to Jersey is not a viable proposition, it’s hardly surprising that there are no overseas runners.

Cueros has had a super season winning over different trips, but here he is asked to give 13lb to stable companion Never Said Nothing and it could prove beyond him. Birkie Boy and Resilient Power, both in form, could be the best of the rest.

Whatever happens, Alyson Malzard will be champion trainer again and she could finish the season with a flourish. With at least one strongly fancied runner in all five races it not beyond the realms of possibility that she could go through the card.

Selections:
Diplomatie
Profit And Loss
Roi Du Monde
She’s A Mirage
Never Said Nothing

Champion’s Day to conclude the domestic racing calendar

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